Introduction
For several weeks I have been combing through Thomas Song’s diary-blog on Hatena, working to translate and highlight passages of note for researchers and family members. So far, I am working through the blogs of 2014, the year with both the most entries and, unfortunately, Thomas’ last year of life. Many memories of Manchuria and elsewhere appear to have swirled in his mind, more so than in his previous years’ writings; therefore it seemed important to capture this year first.
This post be the first of a series in which I will introduce some of the significant discoveries from Thomas’ blog writing, in no particular order. This time I would like to introduce two songs that Thomas Song mentions on two separate occasions. Music provides a window into emotions; emotions weave the fabric of memory. I hope that translating Thomas’ words and the songs that permeated his mind in his final year may help illuminate his experiences and emotions to those who wish to better understand his original diary (nikki).
Diary. 2014.Feb.14.Friday. 宵待ち草
On February 14th, 2014, Thomas recalled the lyrics to a song entitled Evening Primrose1. He wrote,
宵待草
待てど暮らせど来ぬ人を 宵待草のやるせなさ 今宵は月も出ぬそうな
７，５，５，７，７，５と、３６音をみごとに整理した、往事の日本流行歌。
これだから、日本語はやめられない。
T. G. Song
Translation:
Evening Primrose
Waiting for one who will not come The wretched evening primrose Even the moon shall not rise tonight
7, 5, 5, 7, 7, 5―36 morae beautifully arranged one-by-one; a popular song from a Japan long past.
I cannot give up Japanese for just this reason.
T. G. Song, trans. E. Seitz
Evening Primrose was written in 1917, with lyrics by Takehisa Yumeji (竹久夢二) and music by Oono Tadasuke (多忠亮). Originally a poem by Takehisa, the song featured slightly different lyrics than in its initial release. A version performed by singer Yotsuya Fumiko (四家文子)was released in Showa 3, or 1928, five years before Thomas was born. According to Thomas, the song was a hit in Japan. Though he does not write when or where he became acquainted with the tune, its presumed popularity makes it likely that it was played often in the Japanese community in Dairen where he was raised. Additionally, the reason the song sticks out in his memory is unclear, except for the fact that the lyrics appear to have captivated him.
Referring to the structure, Thomas made a small typo: counting up the morae/on, it should be 7, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5. This structure is reminiscent of classic Japanese poetry, which in all its forms is grouped into lines of 5 or 7 on. Evening Primrose‘s alternating 7-5 pattern is somewhat like a chouka, or “long poem,” except it does not end with two lines of 7 on. Regardless, it seems that the beauty of the lyrics combined with their classical structure served as a constant reminder to Thomas of the positive aspects of Japanese, in spite of his complex relationship with the nation and its language.
Below you can hear the popular version of the song:
Diary. 2014.May 1. Thursday.
Later, on May 1st, 2014, Thomas related another musical memory, this time with more context:
妙に満洲について頻繁に感傷的になるが、旅順高校で昔愛唱した寮歌（北帰行）を思 い出す。
‘今は黙して行かん
何をまた語るべき
さらばわがふるさとよ
明日は異郷の旅路’
これを覚えたのが１９４５年の旅順の近くの土城子”飛行場建設”勤労動員の夏だった。
僕はまだ１６歳の少年だった。それからほぼ７０年その異郷の旅路をたどったことになる。人生運命って不思議でもある。北朝鮮強制収用所で悲惨な日々にあえぐ人たちがこれを歌っていたと読んだ。同級生がそこに混じっていた可能性もある。
T. G. Song
Translation:
Strangely, I’m feeling sentimental toward Manchuria quite often. For instance, I am recalling an old favorite dormitory song from Port Arthur High School, Hokkikou [Northern Return Trip]
What more should I say?
For I cannot keep quiet
O farewell, my old home
Tomorrow’s journey leads far away.
I learned this song in 1945. I was working on the construction of the Dojoushi [Tuchengzi] airport near Port Arthur, as a part of that summer’s wartime labor mobilization.
I was still a young boy of 16. Nearly 70 years later I have taken that “far away journey.” Fate really is a mysterious thing. I read that the people caught in lands seized by North Korea sang this song every day, wretched and suffering. It’s possible some of them were my classmates.
T. G. Song, trans. E. Seitz
Hokkikou was written by a former student of Port Arthur High School named Uda Hiroshi (宇田博). He wrote it after he was expelled, teaching it to his classmates shortly before he went away. It has since lived on as a favorite dormitory song, not simply about wandering but as an expression of personal liberation. Later, in 1961, singer Kobayashi Akira (小林旭) released a pop version with slightly different lyrics and that attained great popularity nationwide.
Hokkikou clearly resonated with Thomas, though he only alludes to the reasons why. It seems to me that he saw himself in the song, having taken several journeys in his lifetime. I imagine he may have felt like he would never settle anywhere, drifting from place to place, until he had made deep roots in America.
Below you can listen to both versions of Hokkikou:
Further Reading
- Thomas’ blog: フィラデルフィア日記
- Uda Hiroshi’s autobiography; explains origins of Hokkikou: 宇田博 『大連・旅順はいま』 六法出版社、1992年11月。ISBN 4897702747
- Original sheet music for Evening Primrose: IMSLP Yoimachigusa
- Links to Wikipedia are provided for a quick summary of people and topics, with the understanding that they may contain inaccuracies. For a more complete picture, seek out the cited sources at the end of Wikipedia pages. ↩︎
